Two years had passed quietly at the inn, the stable was rebuilt and it seemed that the trade never stopped, just slowed from time to time.

Morris Sherry escaping from custody was about the only thing that had been big news of the year.

But no one had heard from him and most assumed he was dead. A year ago Janette Sherry had her marriage annulled by the church. She at once had suitors calling on her at the Coates place, but none of them seemed to be right for her or had the approval of her brother in law. Edmond Coates, who was very much a stickler who members of his family could entertain. He approved of Roland Swensen or Casper Amberly for his daughter but not Warren Martin or Westly Timberlane. Warren was the only one really old enough to court Jenny but he wasn't interested in her.

Quentin had grown from a toddler to a small boy. Who loved having the run of the inn but often felt lonely as only children often do, for children of his own age with which to play.

That spring when Octavia called the children in for the last time Justin lagging as usual she did not know that it would be her last time as teacher.

The last day of school Justin cried when Octavia would not pass him to the next school, but he was only ten. She thought the boarding school would be too tough on him at a tender age.

She enjoyed teaching very much, but she was with child and it was time to retire, at least for the time being. Married school tutors were very rare, and pregnancy was probably the reason.

Astrid, while pleased at Justin's marks she was grateful that Octavia did not write him a letter of approval for the upper school in Rivers Edge. She too felt it was too much for one so young to do.

Chester told them that the school board meeting had been quit something, Clive, Seth, and he had tried thier best to get the Riggley fellow from Rivers Edge to come and tutor while Octavia was in confinement. But Coates and Amberly wanted the Monsieur Havern a Catholic from Portland to take over. Timberlane sided with them. Swensen got the best of them though, he told them we would give Master Havern a years contract, if he worked out we would hire him. The Quakers are not going to be happy, but what could we do? "I tell you the meeting almost became a row," Chester said, after he explained the choice.

"I thought Mr. Amberly liked my teaching," Octavia said.

"He does, but he thinks our school needs latin taught in the afternoon to the older boys," Chester sighed.

Octavia sighed, the extra money had been nice, there was no way she could teach latin she barely knew some of the common sayings.

"Why do farmers, merchants, millers, and wool factorers sons need latin?" Jamie said, remembering how he had hated it. Far as he could tell it served no purpose. Unless you wanted to be a doctor or man of science, perhaps an apothocary.

"Well some of the higher schools in Boston and Portland have been demanding it, so Mr. Amberly says," Chester sighed, thinking the whole thing was a headache.

"Havern is not a French name," Octavia said, her father was French, so she could speak French as well as English.

"Evidently this man speaks in four languages," Chester sighed.

"No. It sounds German or Austrian," Jamie guessed, and wondered why they had called him Monsieur.

"He will be here in October." Chester said and went outside to see if he could find some clean cloths for washing up.

"Well I knew they would replace me but I was hoping it would be temporarily," Octavia sighed.

"We will do well without the money," Jamie said, feeling bad for her.

Trouble started that summer. First it was Chester who commented that Oly Swensen hadn't ordered up lately and if he didn't Chester would have to find someone to buy hay from.

Chester was to say later that was like the gathering clouds, when you know there is to be a storm, and indeed there was one.

The next sign of the storm was a visit to Chester and Maggie by Neils Swensen. He was distraught and quite beside himself, Chester was to say later.

"Of course you know of the late spring cotillion, I remember my father mentioning that is where you met Maggie," Niels started, after Chester had seated him across from the man.

"Yes, fondly," Chester smiled.

"I wonder why our young people didn't go?" Maggie said, refering to Jack, Jamie, Octavia and Kate.

Neils waved it away, thinking Octavia and Jamie fit in well enough he guessed, but not a maid and a cook.

"My father went, why I do not know, I feel as if I am to old to attend, my son and daughter will probably be going in a year or two," Neils sighed, "At any rate. He met Janette Sherry there, a previously married woman with a child younger then the majority of his grandchildren." Neils sobbed.

Chester looked puzzeled, "Why she seems nice enough."

"No you do not understand, it was not just . . . a meeting, he spent the evening dancing with her, and he is calling upon her, he is old enough to be her father, it is a disgrace I tell you the old fool!" Neils almost was overwrought.

"You don't say," Chester said, and it was all he could do to keep from laughing.

"You have been friends a long time, do you think . . . you could go to him, talk to him, he must come to his senses, he is an old man of fifty and eight, not a young man in his twentieth year." Neils lamented.

"Of course I will go see him." Chester said, doubting if Oly Swensen was really smitten if it would do any good. Oly and he had been friends Oly had met Agatha his lady love, and that had not stopped Oly from steeling Agatha.

When Oly Swensen wanted something he got it, be it John Landers prize stallion as a dowery for his daughter, or a woman, or the best cattle in the valley.

When Chester returned the news was not good.

"While I was visiting the Vicker Martin came to call, I think he means to marry the lass," Chester sighed, secretly he was happy for Oly, who seemed to be happier then he had been before Agatha's illness.

"Oh no, how can he do this to Astrid and I, what about the memory of our dear mother," Neils sobbed.

If someone had told Chester that Neils was capable of tears, he would have scoffed at the very idea.

"Well son, I think she just might make your father happy, he hasn't been in his cups for weeks," Chester said tenderly.

"He is being a fool. And there is no fool like an old fool, and a old fool is he . . . my Gods man, this is a travesty," Neil sobbed.

"Now now son, it is not that bad," Chester said trying not to laugh, but poor Neils was really upset.

"What will people of this town think? My God, he has always preached to us that we must marry to our station, and the children should go to Sweden and meet someone there. He was beside himself with Astrid wanted to marry John Landers until he decided he had to have John's prize stallion. I guess the man has always been a fool. What will people think she was the wife of a convict and . . ." Neils cried.

"People of this town's thoughts don't matter. What matters is for the first time since your mother died, your father is happy," Maggie said.

"I should go home to my wife," Neils said and staggered out of the pub.

A few weeks gone by and a few times Neils got in his cups so bad Jamie had to drive him home.

"Hike me, Hike me grandpa," Quentin called.

"Boy you are getting to big for me to hike,and that hair of yours always a mess," Chester chuckled.

"I know, I just want to play," Quentin sighed, some days his da and mum barely had time to tend to his bath and work on his letters. Or read him stories.

Things were about to change because that day, Lewis came in. Quentin knew Lewis his da both liked and didn't like Lewis. Adults could be confusing.

Lewis brought with him a big boy, his name was Justin, and Lewis was his da.

Quentin always lost at darts with his new friend, it was just good to have another child to play with even if he was almost eleven.

Quenting thought Justin was pretty neat the way he could hit the dart board every time and the funny dance he did when he made a good shot.

Justin knew all kinds of interesting things and new games, and so after a while the two boys went outside to play.

Lewis talked to Jamie later when they set down for a game after Seth left to tend to his cattle.

The inn was pretty quiet most were out working the fields or sheering sheep or tending crops or animals.

"Oh Jamie did you hear of the wedding last Saturday?" Lewis asked.

No who was married?" Jamie said, he had heard a bit of gossip but nothing about a wedding. But after all it was only Monday afternoon and farmers and merchants were busy.Seth had only stopped by to buy a bottle of sweet wine while Clarise picked up some things at the mercantile. Other then Lewis he had been this days only customer.

"My father in law, married young misstress Janette Sherry, now my home is not safe for Justin or I, my wife is on a rampage," Lewis said, "I hope you don't mind me bringing the boy in."

"Not at all, and it will be good for Quentin to be around another boy,"

"The wedding was Saturday and oh you should have been there, if looks could have killed both my father and law and Janette would have been in a funeral before a wedding. I don't understand at all." Lewis said.

"Neither do I, it seems he is happy they should let him be." Jamie agreed.

"The Coates seemed very happy. Oly and Janette ignored them, but there was an ugly scene right before Clive Martin pronounced them. My wife had been staring holes through Niels, with burning desperation. I could almost hear her say do something besides drink you fool."

Jamie nodded and sat back to hear the story, the game forgotten before them.

She was putting out the silver and china for the reception after, Oly wished the wedding and reception to be at his home instead of the church. The way Astrid looked I thought she wanted to throw the plates more then set the tables with them.

Olga and I have become kindred spirits both tredding upon eggshells in our homes as our spouses rant about their fathers lunacy to marry a young woman. Both of us believe it to be good for the elder who is still strong and sharp of mind despite his years.

It was quite an ugly scene as right before the wedding Neils confronted his father, Neils being three sails to the wind on brandy I might add.

Neils demanded that his father not marry.

His father told Neils to go to the devil

I thought there was to be a fist fight for sure, and I feared for the old man, but then Matthew Oakes showed up, that is Oly's farm foreman, and I knew that if anyone got hurt it would be Neils Matthew is a good man and would never allow Oly hurt. Many a night Matthew put the old soul to bed when he was to in his cups to know he had a bed. Good man he is, I wish I could find a foreman with his loyalty.

Anyway Neils saw that Matthew was not to be trucked with, drunk or not Neils Swensen is no fool.

The wedding went on and it was beautiful. Oly was very happy, and from what I hear from my maid Minnie, who has a sister Martina who serves Oly that the wedding night was a success that was what I was conserned with but there burns fire under that snowy roof, and at this Lewis laughed heartily.

Jamie thought it was so like Lewis to think of lust.

Quentin was so sorry to see Justin go home, but Lewis promised to bring him again and they would both be at the picnic on the common next Saturday.

Octavia sighed and said it would be her last outting before confinement.

That night Neils came in just around dusk. The pub was empty.

"Well I guess you heard my father married," Neils said, he already was a bit intoxicated.

"Justin's grandpa," Quentin had heard his own version of the wedding from Justin who said that it was great fun all the adults were mad and he ate so much cake he vomited.

"Goodnight," Jamie and Octavia both said in unison.

"What did I do," Quentin cried.

"Nothing time for bed, I will tell you a story," Chester said.

"Goodnight son," Octavia said with tenderness in her voice.

"Goodnight mother, goodnight father," Quentin said realizing they were in public.

Chester took the boy by the hand, and led Quentin upstairs and left Jamie and Octavia to deal with Neils. He had about enough horse hockey from the young man.

"You should have seen them," Neils muttered after Chester had taken the boy upstairs.

Jamie looked at Neils and sadly shook his head, and said, "Shouldn't you go home, your wife has probably held supper."

That woman all over my father like a trollop, all she wants is his money. He is such a fool when Clive pronounced them wife and husband she was all over him.

Then after as she was sharing cake, I saw her watching Matthew Oakes with so much passion in her eyes, I know what she is going to do, she is going to make a cuckhold my father with that man.

"Now Neils, you do not know that to be truth," Jamie said.

"No, she could have just been grateful to him." Octavia explained.

"For what?" Neils asked looking distressed.

"For him keeping peace at the wedding. I heard about the row you and your father had," Jamie said.

"True no lady likes their special day ruined by a fight," Octavia, said pouring some berry juice into glasses.

"Come join us in a drink before you go home to Olga." Jamie said cheerfully.

"All right, maybe you are right, at any rate what can I do, she is married to him, she can make him a pauper or a cuckhold." Neils sighed, "There is nothing I can do about it."

"She could make him happy in his golden years, I hear he dotes on her child," Octavia said recalling what Olga had told her at the market this morning.

"Yes he loves children," Neils sighed, "He always said he wanted a house full but all he got were Astrid and I."

"Well now Neils I think that you will see he is happy, remember when Astrid married John Landers, Oly was upset about it, but they were happy together for the time they had, and now she has Lewis," Maggie said from behind the bar.

"That is true, Oly doesn't think much of Lewis but my sister is happy, will you drive me home Jamie?" Neils said wearily.

"Sure," Jamie said smiling.

"Better now?" Octavia asked.

"Yes I am." Neils sighed.

"Good, and goodnight Niels" Maggie said smiling.

At the picnic Justin and Quentin were the only children there. While Quentin was glad to see his new friend, he was puzzled why there were only adults.

"The young men and women, and some of the elders took all the children swimming, but my mother wouldn't let me go and you are too young to swim," Justin sighed.

"They got to go swimming, and your mother wouldn't let you why?" Quentin said, a little disappointed he was too young to go.

She is afraid I will drown, father tried to talk her into letting me go, but mother is in a tizzy now my little brother Todd broke something and grandfather married a harlot.

"What's a harlot?" Quentin asked.

"Don't you know anything, its like someone in the Bible," Justin said.

"Oh," Quentin said thinking he had not seen any golden halo on the new Mrs. Swensens head when she and Oly came to say hello to the people gathered at the picnic.

"Never mind about that lets eat." Justin said.

"Justin come here and sit with us," Astrid ordered, "Come sit with your mother."

Justin went Quentin could tell he wanted to sit with the men like he was.

The men were talking about crops and livestock, about the weather, while the women talked about babies, it seemed most of them would be in confinement this summer, the worst time to be in the family way.

Justin had no idea what that meant but he suspected Todd would soon be joined by another mewling brat, which was good for him because the busier his mother was the more time he had to do what he liked to do. Go with Lewis or play with his friends.

Quentin felt lucky his mother was much nicer then Mrs. Landers, she only walked by once and said, "Eat all your vegetables."

But that was better then being told to sit up straight, use your napkin, use a fork, like Mrs. Swensen did to poor Justin.

All Lewis did was smile at him when mama did that, like he was lucky to have a nice mother that reminded him to eat all the vegetables.

Most the men had gone to get desert and it looked delicious. So Quentin ate his green beans holding his nose which made Lewis chuckle.

"As you know, Kate is in confinement, I am hoping for a son this time, I love Amelia but a man needs a son," Jack said as he sat back letting that very good lunch digest before going after his cake.

"Well yes, sons are nice, but I am really hoping for a daughter this time," Jamie said smiling.

"You have a son, and a very good one," Jack laughed.

"Quentin is a clever boy," Jamie agreed proudly.

"I hope that Amelia will be clever, she is not wishing to use the chamber pot at all and she should be at this age, I remember Quentin was," Jack said.

They both laughed as Lewis said, "Do you two wish to move to the ladies table?"

"No but it is difficult for us to talk of farming, both the mares are with foal though, Bess and Bow, and Chester has promised me my choice for training them," Jamie said.

"Good, horses are something of great value and never will be replaced, oxen are too slow, and tire too easily," Seth spoke up.

"Do you know I believe my wife is with child as well," Lewis whispered as someone else started talking about maize.

Jamie laughed and smiled.

After eating Justin brought out a ball and they tossed it back and forth, until finally Quentin could actually catch it and toss it to Justin without hitting him or rolling it to his feet.

The picnic was a success for everyone.

That fall Monsieur Havern arrived by coach from Portland, Quentin didn't like the way the man looked at him. With disapproval and scorn perhaps, like Quentin was some kind of bad bug he would like to squish.

Quentin had ran in from playing with Justin, who explained it would be his last time coming to the inn, as school was starting Monday next.

There was the tall man with cold eyes.

"Young man, what are you doing here?" the man inquired.

Quentin looked around, where was his father, Chester, or anyone, this man scared him.

"Your dinner is almost ready," Maggie called.

"I live here," Quentin said in a low voice and ran upstairs.

"Quentin do not run on the stairs," Chester called.

Havern lifted a brow, the child was running wild.

The next Saturday after Justin got to come by with Lewis for a while, and the pub was empty, Lewis needed to talk business with Chester in the back room and Havern was out visiting some poor parent of one of his students.

"Mr. Havern is horrid, no one likes him he is a cat licker. Thats not the worst he uses the rod on someone daily, I got it myself yesterday and I will not be sitting down for some time, my mother is furious, but she can't go see him as she is going to have a baby soon.

"So is my mum, but why did you get the rod?"

"Because Roland Swensen locked him out of the school house, and when he got in, I laughed I could not help to laugh, it was so amusing, so he assumed I was the culprit, since no one would admit to the deed it was my behind that got the rod," Justin explained.

"That is not fair," Quentin said.

"No but if I would have told everyone would have been angry at me," Justin said smiling, "Now I am a hero and Roland lets me play with him and his friends. Father is so proud because I took it like a man, you need to find a child your age to play with I am going to play war with Roland and his friends, I just came to say goodbye, and to play darts again."

Quentin felt sad, now he had no friends and that man was living here at the inn because no one would take in a Catholic so the township paid the bill.

Jamie however thought it was nonsense the anti-Catholic attitude some had, while he was not really friendly with the man, he seemed to be a good man who was diligent as a school master. A short time later Kate gave birth to Johanna another red haired daughter.

That winter shortly after Quentins sixth birthday Octavia gave birth to twin girls Delilah and Maylissa.

Days later Astrid gave birth to Thoren her third son, she was disappointed she had wanted a girl so badly.

Everyone in Amberly was shocked when at the town council meeting Oly Swensen announced the birth of his son Orsen. Everyone assumed Oly was to old to father a child.

That Spring Jamie had taken Quentin fishing once. He wanted to go again. Chester was too busy. His da and Jack were working on their new house, which they would move out of the inn and into by autumn his father hoped. So he took Piper and went to fish. But Piper grew bored and wondered off.

He was glad it was a school day no one was at Amberly pond, all the others were in school with aweful Mr. Havern.

Quentin blinked and tried not to stare as another boy tossed his cork into the water, this boy had dark brown skin, and hair black like Quentins own. He had never seen a person with brown skin and he tried not to stare.

"Hello, why are you not in school?" Quentin said thinking the boy might be older then him, he had grown a lot over the winter and was almost the size of some boys who were seven.

"Me, go to school? You having a fun on me?" the boy laughed.

"No I am not, I thought all boys had to attend school and you look seven, my name is Quentin Warwick what is yours?" Quentin said.

"Not me, I almost seven, they call me Roscoe Turner," the boy said, "I a servant and servants don't go to school."

"Why not, you look too little to be a servant. Besides don't you want to learn letters and numbers?" Quentin asked.

"No I not too young, I born a servant, we all is," Roscoe said, thinking this white boy was different then most were. Most would just yell at him to go away or even throw rocks and call him names.

"Who are you a servant for?" Quentin asked.

"Master Amberly," Roscoe said proudly.

"Oh I heard Mr. Amberly tell my father he had thirtyseven servants that is a lot, what do you do?" Quentin asked thinking maybe that is why he had so many some were children.

"I tend chickens, repair fences, tend sheep and help milk, I need to catch some fish for the cook today, it my chore, my favourite chore too," Roscoe said smiling.

"I will give you mine too," Quentin said, thinking he might get in trouble for going fishing alone and without asking.

Quentin really liked Roscoe, and he just knew they would be best friends for a long time.

Chapter 13

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